Show-case



No. 436,135. Patented Sept. 9, 1890...

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SHOW CASE.

No. 436,135. Patented sept. 9, 189o.

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v SHOW CASE.Y No. 436,135. Patented Sept. 9, 1890.v

UNITED STATES APATENT OFFICE.

HENRY HOFFMANN, OF MANNING, IOVA.

SHOW-CAS E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 436,135, dated September 9, 1890.

Application filed February 18, 1890. Serial No. 340,870. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY HOFFMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Manning, in the county of Carroll and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Show-Cases; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, vsuch as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to show-cases, but more especially to a combined lace, ribbon, and button exhibiting case, which at the same time consists of a cabinet for containing the stock.

The object of my invention is to construct a moresimple, compact,"fand. serviceable device than has hitherto been in use.

\Vith this end in view my invention consists of the peculiarities of construction and combinations of parts more fully described hereinafter, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation showingafront view of the lacedepartment and a side view of the ribbondepartments, the door of the lace-department being closed; Fig. 2, a similar view with the door open; Fig. 3, an elevation showing a front view of the button-department; Fig. 4, an elevation showing a front view of one ribbon-department; Fig. 5, a horizontal .section through the middle of the case; Figs.

6, 7, 8, 9, 10,'and 1l,detail views showing the special construction of various parts of the device; and Fig. 12, a perspective view of my complete structure, showing the door of the lace-department open and the back of the same removed. This figure also represents the lace-department with the lace-frames and a number of the shelves for the same removed.

The outside casing consists of a suitable top a, bottom a', corner-posts a, and intermediate posts b, connecting said top and bottom. The inside is divided into four compartments by the upright partitions A, A', and B, the partitions A A being secured to the posts b, and being parallel to each other, and the partition B dividing the central space between A A into two equal parts.

The compartment on onesideof the partition B comprises the lace-department, which is constructed and arranged as follows: A glass vdoor D is hinged to one of the posts b and has secured to its frame behind the glass vertical strips cl, equidistant and grooved lengthwise on their adjacent faces, as at d', Fig. 5. Strips or display-cardseare arranged to fit between the strips cl and engage vthe grooves d', so that they can be slid up and down at will and removed and replaced when required. The width of these strips is somewhat less than vthe space between the bottoms of the grooves, and in their edges are driven pins F a short distance apart the entire length of the strips. The depth of the grooves allows these pins to be contained within them andwholly concealed from View. The sample pieces of lace are stretched horizontally across the cards by hooking them over the pins, and the ends are carried behind the card and concealed when the door is open by a thin board g, secured to the upright strips d. It will thus be observed that the sample pieces vof lace will be presented in full view behind the glass and in a horizontal position with the scalloped edge down, as they should be seen. The display-cards may be of any color to form a background and each side colored differently,`so that both can be used to advantage, and on the cards on the space between the pieces of lace the number of the same can be placed, and also the price, if desired.

The partitions A A', forming the side walls of the lace-department, are grooved throughout their length, as seen at j, Figs. 2 and 12, to admit of shelves 71. being fitted in, which. shelves support the frames z', on which the lace is wound. These shelves can be adj listed at various distances apart to suit the width of the lace by means of these grooves j, and the lace-frames are numbered on each end, so that whichever way they are fit-ted in the number will be in sight.

When the purchaser has selected the lace desired from the samples on the display-card, the merchant opens the door and takes down the frame bearing the corresponding number to measure oi the desired amount. By this arrangement the samples are never disturbed when lace is bought and are always in full View in a horizontal position.

The space on the opposite side of the partition B constitutes the button-department,

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which consists of a series of drawers 7c, one above another, and having lengthwise grooves fm in their side pieces m', which are engaged by and slide on strips o, fastened to the walls of partitions A A. Thus the drawers occupy all the space in the compartment, and no room is taken up by slides or ways between them. These drawers are each divided into six compartments p, each of which is filled with a dierent kind of buttons, and a sample of each button is exposed to view on the front of the drawer in the manner now to be described. is provided with six circular openings q, in the front of each of which is left an annular ledge q', and in this opening fit corresponding pieces of card-board r against said ledge. In the center of the card-board is fastened a sample button s in any suitable manner, and this button and the card-board are held against the ledge and secured in place by a fiat springt, secured at its center to the inside of the front piece and its outer ends bent to have a constant pressure against said cardboard. It is thus apparent that the latter can be taken out when desired, and also that a sample of each button will be in view for the purchaser to select from. If desired, the price can be marked on the face of the cardboard or any other matter required. The remaining space, or that portion outside the partitions A A', is utilized as the ribbon-departments. Both of these are constructed exactly alike; so a description of one will suf- Iicc. The front is closed by glass doors F and the sides by glass strips G, itted between the posts a and b. The inside is occupied by shelving H, made adjustable by means of a series of notches I in the inside corners of the posts a and corresponding perforations 2 in the opposite posts b. Each shelf is provided on each end of its inner edge with a fiat spring 3, having a tapering point 4 projecting from its surface.

To fix a shelf in place it is turned ina slanting position and the points l made to engage notches in the'posts ZJ. The shelf is then pushed back and let down until its outer edge comes opposite the proper notches in the posts a, when the spring 3 will cause the shelf to enter said notches, and thus be supported in position. To remove a shelf the reverse operation will be performed, the shelf being pushed back until it is free of the notches, and then lifted or lowered and taken out. The shelves are hollowed out on the upper surface to adapt the shelf to the rolls of ribbon, but are left smooth on their opposite sides, so that they can be turned over and used for other purposes, if desired.

The doors F are fastened as follows: The inside vertical strip of one door is provided with a rabbet 5, against which the strip of the other door closes, as seen in Fig. 5. The handle or knob 6 extends through this strip, and has rigidly secured on its inner end a short lever or arm 7, which is fastened at its mid- The front piece of each drawerV die on the handle, and has pivotally secured to its opposite ends the extremities of a pair of sliding bolts 8, which are confined at their outer ends by metal boxings 9. When the doors are locked, the arm 7 is in a vertical position, and the outer ends of the bolts extend into apertures in the top and bottom frame of the case. To unlock the doors the handle is turned, and thereby the lever 7, which draws back the bolts 8, and thus releases the latter, as seen in Fig. 9.

The whole case is mounted to revolve on a circular platform 10, Whichis set on the connter. A bolt or pivot 1l projects through the center of this platform and extends through the center of a frame consisting of a pair of crossed arms l5, from the outer ends of which project pins 13, on which are mounted rollers 14. A perforation is made in the bottom of the case, and into the same the pivot 11 extends, and the case revolves around it and upon the rollers 14.

It will' now be seen that an exceedingly simple and serviceable cabinet or case has been produced,which is used to exhibit samples and at same time contain a stock of goods, and that it can be converted to many uses and yet occupy comparatively little space, being made compact and presentinga neat and finished appearance.

It is evident that many slight changes which might suggest themselves to a mechanical mind could be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- l. In a show-case, the combination of a transparent door, vertical strips secured to the same, and having lengthwise-grooved slides operating between said strips, and fastening devices, substantially as described, secured to the edges of said slides and arranged to be contained within said grooves, for the purpose described.

2. In a show-case, the combination of a transparent door closing a compartment, strips secured to said door and having vertical grooves, slides operating in said grooves and provided with suitable fastening devices to secure the sample pieces of goods in a hori- Zontal position, a suitable backing to conceal the rear sides of said slides and strip, and adjustable shelving in said compartment for containing the stock in such a manner that the piece corresponding to the sample selected can be easily obtained, substantially as described.

3. In a showcase, a drawer having a front piece provided with an aperture, a card showing through said aperture and holding the sample, and aspring secured to the front piece and having pressure against said card to hold the latter in place, substantially as described.

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4. In a show-ease, a drawer having a front 6. In a showcase, vertical .posts provided piece provided with a number of apertures, with series of depressions, a shelf one edge of 15 sample-holding cards showing through said whieh is arranged to engage the depressions apertures, and a spring secured at its center in one set of posts, springs secured on the op- 5 to the drawer-front and its opposite ends posite edge, and projections on said springs bearing upon said cards to hold the latter in arranged to engage the depressions in the opposition, substantially as described. posite posts, substantially as described. zo

5. In a show-case, upright posts provided In testimony whereof I affix my signature in with depressions, a shelf engaging the depresence of two Witnesses.

lo pressions in one set of posts, and springs se- HENRY HOFFMANN.

cured to said shelves and arranged to engage Witnesses: the depressions in the opposite posts, as set A. T. BENNETT,

forth. LOUIS E. KYRK. 

